Obituary of Robert Paul Makela

Robert P. Makela, 79, of Peabody died Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Beth Isreal Hospital, Boston with his family by his side. He was the devoted husband of Mary Ann (Hall) Makela with whom he loved and shared 53 years of marriage. He was born in Peabody on March 23, 1939, the son of the late Urho and Mary E. (MacLeod) Makela and was a lifelong resident of Peabody. Robert was graduate of St. John’s Prep in Danvers in 1956 and upon graduation entered the US Air Force. He served for 4 years and was stationed in Lybia before his discharge in 1960. He then began working at the National Cash Register Co. in Framingham and was employed for over 30 years before retiring as a computer technician. He had been a member of St. Michael’s Club in Peabody and had played in the St. Mike’s Golf league and also on the Softball team. He had bowled at Metro Bowl Chamber of Commerce league for many years and enjoyed going to warmer climates in the winter at Aruba and taking Mediterrian cruises. Bob was a strong family man and was affectionally called “Buppa” by his nine grandchildren and great grandson whom he had adored and cherished. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann of Peabody, his three daughters , Mary Kay DiBuono of Southbridge, MA, Joan and her husband Chris Alibozek of Hartland, Vt., and Karen and her husband Kevin Fitzgerald of Methuen, his siblings and spouses, Richard and Linda Makela and Ralph and Linda Makela all of Peabody, and Mary and Lon Bonczek of Falmouth, MA, his nine grandchildren, Patrick, Kaitlyn and Elizabeth DiBuono, Rachel, Timothy and Matthew Alibozek and Ben, Alex and Thomas Fitzgerald, and his great grand son Jameson DiBuono and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Bonnie Ouellet and Marjorie Liberge. A Visitation will be held on Monday, July 9, 2018 at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM from the Funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John’s Church, Peabody at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody, Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Smile Train, 633 Third Ave, 9th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017 (info@smiletrain.org) in his memory. For guestbook and directions, visit www.ccbfuneral.com.